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News Highlights

Housing LIN Conferences - Event summary and resources now live

Following our recent Housing LIN conferences in Newcastle and Bristol, we wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who joined us and to share some reflections and next steps.

These events focused on shaping the future of housing for ageing populations, communities and wellbeing.

We were delighted to bring together 400 engaged delegates, an outstanding lineup of sector-leading speakers, and a dedicated cohort of sponsors across housing, health and social care to explore key themes of health, independence and connection.

We encourage you to revisit the insights shared and continue the conversations within your own organisations and networks.

• Click here for the full conference highlights, key takeaways and presentation slides

National Housing Bank to accelerate delivery of new homes

The government has launched the National Housing Bank – a subsidiary of Homes England in partnership with Aviva – as part of “a once-in-a-generation investment offer to accelerate delivery of new homes and mixed-use schemes” whilst also enabling the regeneration of towns and cities across England. 

• Read on

PPP Manchester roundtable on Neighbourhood Health frames the agenda

Hot on the heels of the publication of the NHS Neighbourhood Health Framework, our CEO, Jeremy Porteus, was delighted to join a roundtable in Manchester last week with national and regional health and social care leaders on neighbourhood health, organised by Public Policy Projects.

• Read on

Resource Roundup

“Barriers at every turn”: Social housing allocation in London

A report by the London Assembly Housing Committee investigates the practice of social housing allocations in London boroughs.

It includes how disabled people are disadvantaged in accessing affordable, accessible social housing in the capital.

• Read report

Expert Insights

Reforming Site Thresholds – An Opportunity to Boost Supported and Older Persons Housing Delivery

In this new Housing LIN guest blog, Mark Slater, Managing Director at WWA, shares insights on proposed planning policy changes, focusing on new site thresholds and stronger tenure expectations.

• Read blog

Neighbourisms – strengthening intergenerational and community bonds

In this Housing LIN guest blog, and following her presentation at our conference in Bristol, Savannah Fishel, an intergenerational and communal housing researcher, reflects on her international research and the informal habits that strengthen community bonds – "neighbourisms".

• Read Savannah's blog

Listening to the Voices of Older People: a personal view

This blog by Barbara Douglas draws on her presentation at our conference in Newcastle, reflecting on her work with the Elders Council of Newcastle and her exploration of models of community housing as a promising alternative for older people considering a move who can't find a home to suit their circumstances.

• Read Barbara's blog

What else caught our interest...

• Building Societies Association guest blog: Cohousing & Community-Led Housing: An underserved mortgage opportunity for building societies
• Carmarthenshire County Council news: Carmarthenshire joins World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities
• CIH report: UK Housing Review
• Codi news RCT Council Cabinet members visit as extra care housing in Porth nears completion
• DHSC news Communities to benefit from health centres on their doorstep
• GMCA news Government announces new Health Commissioner role for Greater Manchester
• LABM article APPG calls for the construction of intergenerational communities
• Natural England Healthy Outdoors: A guide for measuring health outcomes when evaluating outdoor interventions (NECR725)
• St John’s Foundation blog: How thoughtful building design supports wellbeing in later life

Dates For Your Diary

HAPPI Hour webinars

We’re excited to announce the first five webinars in our Spring/Summer HAPPI Hour series. Reserve your place today and join us for inspiring conversations, fresh insights and engaging ideas:

• Designing Intergenerational Communities for Wellbeing and Belonging on 28th April, 4pm - 5pm;
• My Home, My Life: Housing, culture and wellbeing in later life — Insights from the Amar Bari Amar Jibon research on 5th May, 4pm - 5pm;
• Strengthening mental wellbeing through housing for an ageing population in Wales on 12th May, 4pm - 5pm;
• Housing: Still Rising to the Dementia Challenge – Dementia Friendly Fun on 19th May, 4pm - 5pm;
• SHAPE Exchange: Designing homes and communities that reduce isolation and build connection on 9th June, 4pm - 5pm.

We look forward to welcoming you to our webinars! In the meantime, you can access the full recordings, slides, chat reports and feedback for all previous sessions, featuring diverse speakers and topics from dementia-friendly design and AI to community-led housing, almshouses and diversity. 

Events supported by the Housing LIN

• UK Cohousing Network: Inside a Cohousing Community: How It Works in Practice – Leeds Tickets, 25 April, from 1pm to 5pm
• Manchester Urban Ageing Research Group: Celebrating ten years of MUARG: Urban ageing research and action, 28th April, from 9:30am - 3:30pm
• UK Cohousing Network: Living in Cohousing: Is It for Me? – Evening Online Cohort Course, 27 May, from 7pm to 8:30pm

Want to know what we're working on at Housing LIN?

From sector-leading research with universities to creating tools that shape organisational policy and practice, we’re driving innovation in the sector. Find out more!

We also offer tailored support to help you navigate today’s complex challenges, whether strategic or operational.

Let’s work together! Please email us at consultancy@housinglin.org.uk or explore our award-winning Research and Advisory Services to learn more.